FlashForward

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Television series
German title FlashForward
Original title FlashForward
FlashForward 2009 logo.svg
Country of production United States
original language English
Year (s) 2009-2010
length 42 minutes
Episodes 22 in 1 season
genre Mystery
drama
thriller
science fiction
idea Robert J. Sawyer
production Mark H. Ovitz
music Ramin Djawadi
First broadcast September 24, 2009 (USA) on ABC
German-language
first broadcast
March 1, 2010 on ORF 1 , ProSieben
occupation
Joseph Fiennes : Mark Benford
John Cho : Demetri Noh
Jack Davenport : Lloyd Simcoe
Zachary Knighton : Dr. Bryce Varley
Peyton List : Nicole Kirby
Brían F. O'Byrne : Aaron Stark
Courtney B. Vance : Stanford Wedeck
Sonya Walger : Dr. Olivia Benford
Christine Woods : Janis Hawk
Dominic Monaghan : Simon Campus
synchronization

FlashForward is an American television series that was produced in 2009 and 2010. The plot, in which a mysterious phenomenon lets all of mankind cast simultaneously for 137 seconds into their own future in six months, is based on the novel Flashforward by the Canadian science fiction author Robert J. Sawyer . Although the plot has not yet been told with the first season, the series was discontinued due to low ratings.

action

On October 6, 2009, almost all people collectively faint around the world at the same time . This takes exactly 137 seconds . During this time, they will experience their own future on April 29, 2010 at 10:00 p.m. ( UTC −8 h ; i.e. on April 30, 6:00 a.m. world time ), exactly 137 seconds. After the end of the blackout , chaos breaks out, as nobody knows whether the visions they have experienced will come true or not. 20 million people are dead and many are injured after losing control of vehicles, planes or other human-operated devices during the blackout.

The FBI -Agent Mark Benford , played by Joseph Fiennes , sees in his vision yourself while working up the incident. He then founds a working group in the FBI to investigate the phenomenon. Benford and his team collect the visions they have experienced (also called flash forwards ) from people all over the world in a huge web- based database , the so-called mosaic collection ( ABC set up a website for this purpose , which is now offline ). Together they have already worked out a “when” for the coming events, April 29, 2010. The big question, however, is still about “why”.

Some people did not have visions. These individuals are likely dead or asleep on April 29, 2010. These people call themselves "ghosts" and sometimes organize parties in which they want to murder themselves. Entry to the party is paid for with a round of Russian Roulette . The organizer thinks that the future cannot be changed. Other people don't seem to have fainted either. These people seem to play a role in the phenomenon or have deliberately brought it about.

Mark Benford receives news from Munich that an ex-Nazi wants to buy himself out of custody. He offers to explain his flash forward, which could explain the connection to the 137 second blackout. The ex-Nazi is set free, although he cannot provide a plausible explanation. All he said was that the number 137 could be calculated from a Hebrew word and that after his blackout he looked out of his cell window and saw dead crows lying everywhere.

The FBI found out via the Internet that a mass death similar to that reported by the ex-Nazi about the crows is said to have already happened in Somalia in 1991. With the requested satellite images from Somalia, the investigators intended to track down the dead crows or to find out whether a flash-forward might have taken place in the world. However, the satellite images show towers in Somalia that are unidentifiable.

At the end of the sixth episode, a short scene is shown in which Simon Campos runs into Lloyd Simcoe to inform him that they are responsible for the deaths of more than 20 million people. Simon Campos can be seen more often from now on. He poses as one of the world's best quantum physicists on a train ride. He himself knows why the flash forward was triggered, he says.

In the seventh episode, Al falls from the roof of the FBI headquarters as proof that the future can be changed. Al feared that he would have killed Celia in the future.

In the eighth episode, Lloyd does not want to leave mankind alone with their fates and wants to go public with the truth about the Flash-Forward. He threatens Simon with it in the hospital. Lloyd assumes that the flash forward was triggered by a failed experiment. Simon offers Lloyd a game of poker to negotiate the release of the facts from Somalia. At the same time, Mark Benford is reconciled with his wife Olivia.

Aaron Stark's daughter Tracy, who was believed dead, reappears. She tells how she was shot at by a bazooka while on patrol in a Humvee and survived seriously injured. Stark turns to Benford for help, as Tracy fears persecution by an organization called Jericho.

During the investigation into a death, Mark Benford shoots an attacker from his flash forward. Because of Benford's vision, the FBI now fears that they have a spy in their ranks. At the end of the eighth episode, two unknown men are shown handing over a suitcase. There are nine rings in the case. The recipient of the suitcase speaks a quote from the war and shoots the messenger.

In the ninth episode: In a review before the "flash forward": Bryce, Olivia Benford's colleague, wanted to kill himself shortly before the "flash forward". Now the viewer learns that the reason for this is cancer. In his vision, Bryce experiences an encounter with an Asian woman with whom he is apparently in a relationship, and he can also speak Japanese. Tracy lives with her father. The FBI discovers an alpha symbol on the ring of the unknown person who was awake during the flash forward.

Bryce shares his problems with Olivia Benford. At the same time, a new person is shown, apparently from Japan and studying mechanical engineering, especially robotics. It is shown in the context of your work and your personal environment. Bryce takes time off to look for Keiko, the woman from his vision, in Japan. He cannot find Keiko and returns to Los Angeles, where Keiko arrived on the same plane.

Demetri Noh learns of a surveillance tape from the NSA that recorded his conversation with an unknown woman in which he received information about his murder. Demetri wants to clarify the identity of the woman so that he can change his future, the investigation leads to Hong Kong.

The tenth episode starts with the unknown woman from Hong Kong. She seems to be running her own investigation into which Demetri's death plays a role. Demetri and Benford travel to China against the orders of their superiors. The woman's name is Nhadra Udaya. She claims Benford will shoot Demetri but does not provide any further information. Benford reacts upset and tries to kidnap Nhadra. The attempt fails and Benford and Noh are arrested and then deported to the United States. Benford takes the blame and is suspended.

Dr. Lloyd Simcoe and Dr. Simon Campos are going public as directors of their history of the Plasma Wakefield program. They wanted to use proton-driven plasma wakefield acceleration to generate energy that would come close to the Big Bang. They would have done some kind of experiment on the day of the flash forward. The blackout was caused by the experiment, Lloyd explains in a press conference.

Simon visits the head of investigations at the FBI to explain to him why they are not responsible for the flash forward. He explains that the FBI will soon have to produce evidence to unambiguously clarify the Flash-Forward's guilt. Simon claims that he can make all evidence of the event disappear. A day later, Simon is sitting with the FBI people, explaining to them the importance of the towers in Somalia. They would have been designed by him, they would have been specialized pulse emitters / lasers for a plasma afterburner. Simon only claims that the towers have not yet been built and so far they have only run simulations. Simon claims he had the idea for the towers in 1992, but the satellite images are from 1991.

Olivia Benford meets Lloyd in the hospital. Olivia learns that she would have met Lloyd earlier if she had studied at Harvard as originally planned and had become Lloyd's neighbor. She transfers Lloyd's autistic son to another clinic and wants to say goodbye to Lloyd when the paramedics in the ambulance kidnap him and leave the son behind.

The last two episodes take place on April 29, 2010, the day everyone saw in their visions of the future. The FBI has arrested Hellinger, a person responsible for the blackout. When Mark interrogates him, he learns that Hellinger has repeatedly seen in his (many) future visions that Mark dies that day, which would also be better for his daughter. When Mark then got violently against Hellinger, Wedeck suspends him from duty for the time being, whereupon Mark reaches for alcohol again on the street. At around 10 p.m., almost all of the main actors arrive at the places they saw in their visions. Even Olivia shows up in the bedroom with Lloyd, even though she wanted to leave with Charlie. Mark finds out that the new blackout is supposed to take place shortly after 10 p.m. and warns Wedeck. Simon and Demetri try to stop the blackout in the company where Simon used to work. The foreseen showdown takes place in Mark's office, but he survives. After the shooting, he warns Wedeck and Olivia of the new blackout and tries to leave the FBI building quickly, as several bombs are about to explode. You can still see him running towards a window he wants to jump through when the new blackout starts. Some visions are shown and the episode ends with the FBI building exploding.

The end of the series remains open as it was discontinued after the first season.

characters

Mark Benford

Joseph Fiennes plays Mark Benford
John Cho plays Demetri Noh

Benford is FBI Special Agent with the FBI in Los Angeles. His vision and the FBI investigation under the name of "Mosaic" that he has therefore led is one of the main strands of the plot. His wife is Dr. Olivia Benford. They have a daughter, Charlie. Benford is a dry alcoholic and his mentor in the support group is Aaron Stark. Benford's partner at the FBI is Special Agent Demetri Noh.

Demetri Noh

Noh is also an FBI Special Agent and is Mark Benford's partner at the FBI. He had no vision during the blackout and is therefore convinced that he will die. His assumption is confirmed when he receives an anonymous phone call from a woman who gives him details of his death. Noh is engaged to lawyer Zoey Andata, from whom he withholds this information for the time being. His life seems to be coming to an end when he is captured by D. Gibbons (Dyson Frost), but Mark Benford (Joseph Fiennes) saves him at the last second.

Lloyd Simcoe

Simcoe works as a scientist at Stanford University . Lloyd's wife and her autistic son Dylan had an accident during the blackout in which the mother died. Simcoe is the man from Olivia Benford's vision. His research partner is Simon Campos. Lloyd believes one of her experiments led to the blackout and is going public with this information against Campos' wishes.

Dr. Bryce Varley

Dr. Varley is an intern at the same hospital as Olivia Benford. Shortly before the blackout, he planned to shoot himself on the beach. In a later episode, the viewer learns the motive for the suicide attempt: Varley had been diagnosed with terminal cancer. Varley is among those who saw a positive vision. He saw himself on a date with a young Asian woman. This woman is Keiko Arahida from Japan.

Nicole Kirby

Kirby is a student and works for the Benfords as a babysitter for their daughter Charlie. In her vision she saw someone drown her. She believes it is the punishment for any wrongdoing and seeks a job to make atonement. She works as a volunteer at the hospital where Olivia Benford and Bryce Varley work.

Aaron Stark

Stark is a dry alcoholic, Mark Benford's mentor in the self-help program and now also a close friend. He has great problems coming to terms with the death of his daughter Tracy, who is said to have been killed while her unit was on duty in Afghanistan. In his vision, Stark sees that his daughter is still alive.

Stanford Wedeck

Wedeck is the FBI Assistant Director of the FBI in Los Angeles and the direct line manager of Mark Benford. He supports Benford's investigation and also uses his contacts with the president when a committee of inquiry wants to cut the funds for the "Mosaic" project.

Dr. Olivia Benford

Olivia Benford is a surgeon and is married to Mark Benford. In her vision she sees that she has apparently started a relationship with another man. This man later poses as Dr. Lloyd Simcoe, whose autistic son and wife had an accident during the blackout. While the woman died, Dr. Benford save the son. Olivia Benford tries to prevent her vision from being fulfilled and keeps her contacts with Simcoe cool and professional. When she tells her husband about her vision, this leads to a crisis in the marriage, as Mark Benford fears that his wife will be unfaithful to him and that this is the reason why he is turning to alcohol again, as happened in the vision. One of Olivia Benford's closest collaborators is Dr. Bryce Varley.

Janis Hawk

Hawk is an FBI special agent working with Mark Benford on the investigation. In her vision she was pregnant and was having an ultrasound scan . This future seems unlikely to her, as she is currently not in a relationship and is also a lesbian . In the course of the investigation, she is gunned down by strangers and only survives thanks to the surgical skills of Olivia Benford. It is later learned that she is a double agent.

Dr. Simon Campos

Dr. Simon Campos is a quantum physicist who, together with Dr. Lloyd Simcoe was working on a project that may have caused the blackout. Campos, however, doubts this.

Actor and voice actor

The German synchronization was based on a dialogue book by Oliver Feld under his dialogue direction on behalf of the Arena Synchron in Berlin .

role actor Voice actor Main role (season) Supporting role (season)
Special Agent Mark Benford Joseph Fiennes Frank Schaff 1.01-1.22
Special Agent Demetri Noh John Cho Marcel Collé 1.01-1.22
Lloyd Simcoe Jack Davenport Peter Flechtner 1.01-1.22
Dr. Bryce Varley Zachary Knighton Sebastian Schulz 1.01-1.22
Nicole Kirby Peyton List Kaya Möller 1.01-1.22
Aaron Stark Brían F. O'Byrne Michael Iwannek 1.01-1.22
Director Stanford Wedeck Courtney B. Vance Oliver Stritzel 1.01-1.22
Dr. Olivia Benford Sonya Walger Melanie Hinze 1.01-1.22
Special Agent Janis Hawk Christine Woods Sarah Riedel 1.01-1.22
Dr. Simon Campos Dominic Monaghan Tommy Morgenstern 1.06-1.22 1.04
Charlie Benford Lennon Wynn NN 1.01-1.22
Dylan Simcoe Ryan Wynott NN 1.01-1.22
Special Agent Vreede Barry Shabaka Henley Axel Lutter 1.01-1.22
Tracy Stark Genevieve Cortese Julia Kaufmann 1.01-1.22
Alda Hertzog Rachel Roberts Natascha Geisler 1.01-1.17
Special Agent Al Gough Lee Thompson Young Tobias Nath 1.01-1.08, 1.16
Dyson Frost Michael Massee Erich Rauker 1.02-1.18
Nhadra Udaya Shohreh Aghdashloo Franziska Pigulla 1.02-1.10
Zoey Andata Gabrielle Union Eva Michaelis 1.03-1.21
Marcie Turoff Amy Rosoff Daniela Brabetz-Thuar 1.03-1.16
Keiko Arahida Yūko Takeuchi NN 1.07-1.22
Marshall Vogel Michael Ealy Sascha Rotermund 1.10-1.22
Lucas Hellinger Neil Jackson Alexander Doering 1.11-1.22
Gabriel McDow James Callis Jaron Lowenberg 1.17-1.22

Guest appearances: Alan Ruck (1.02), Kim Dickens (1.03), Thomas Kretschmann (1.03), James Remar (1.13)

production

The series was produced by Brannon Braga and David S. Goyer . Originally, the series was intended for the station HBO. However, it was suspected that the show would be more suitable for a network TV station. Finally, ABC requested 13 episodes of the first season with the pilot. The first episode aired on September 17, 2009. On October 12, 2009, ABC announced that a full season of 22 episodes had been ordered. On the same day, ABC corrected itself and announced that it would extend the season to 25 episodes. On February 9, 2010, ABC announced that only a total of 22 episodes would be produced. On May 14, it was announced that ABC had canceled FlashForward and that there would be no second season. The reasons given were that the series got lost after the good actions in the first episodes. In addition, the direction of the series has changed several times.

Charisma

United States

The series was broadcast for the first time on September 24, 2009 by the US television station ABC in the 2009/2010 season. With this series, the ABC studios hoped for a comparable and similarly successful series as Lost , since the mystery series ended in 2010 with its sixth season. But that didn't work.

Germany

The first broadcast in Germany took place with a double episode on March 1, 2010 on ProSieben . The other episodes were then shown weekly at 9:10 p.m. From episode 15, FlashForward was broadcast in double episodes. The broadcast ended on July 5, 2010.

Austria

The first broadcast in Austria also took place with a double episode on March 1, 2010. The other episodes were shown weekly late on Sundays. The ORF broadcasts the series in two-channel sound (German / English). From episode 15, FlashForward was broadcast in double episodes. The broadcast ended on July 4, 2010.

Switzerland

In Switzerland, the series has been shown on SF Zwei since March 4, 2010 in two-channel sound (German / English).

Episode list

No. German title Original title Summary First broadcast in the USA German language first broadcast (D / A / CH)
1 blackout No More Good Days A mysterious global event fainted almost everyone on earth on October 6, 2009 for two minutes and seventeen seconds at the same time . During this time they see their future on April 29, 2010 for exactly 137 seconds. After the blackout, there is chaos and confusion over what has been experienced. Sep 24 2009 1st Mar 2010
(ProSieben, ORF 1)
2 The white lady White to Play Mark and Demetri track down a lead in Utah and investigate a man who may be linked to the global blackout . Olivia meets the man from her Flashforward in the hospital . Oct. 1, 2009 1st Mar 2010
(ProSieben, ORF 1)
3 137 seconds 137 seconds Mark and Janis fly to Germany to discuss the events with a man who says he has important information about the strange event. Demetri is afraid of his future. Oct 8, 2009 7th Mar 2010
(ORF 1)
4th The black swan Black Swan Olivia struggles to take advice from Bryce. Mark and Demetri simply do not come to a common opinion about the phenomenon during their investigation. As Nicole goes back to work, she has a shocking premonition. Oct 15, 2009 11th Mar 2010
(SF two)
5 Power games Gimme Some Truth Mark is heard by the Intelligence Senate on his Flashforward . You don't believe him. Janis ponders how the future will affect their current romantic relationship. Olivia gets a tip what her Flashforward can mean. Oct 22, 2009 18 Mar 2010
(SF two)
6th The blue hand Scary Monsters and Super Creeps Demetri and Gough try to clear the connection between two attacks on the mosaic team and follow a clue from Mark's mosaic board. Oct 29, 2009 25th Mar 2010
(SF two)
7th Ghosts The Gift Mark, Demetri, Gough and MI6 Agent Fiona Banks investigate a blue-hand club. Demetri tells Zoey the truth. Nicole volunteers at the hospital and decides to help Bryce with his Flashforward . Nov 5, 2009 April 1, 2010
(SF two)
8th Play with the devil Playing Cards With Coyote Mark gets a clue about the tattooed killer he saw on his Flashforward . Simon and Lloyd play poker to settle old scores. Aaron uncovers the harsh truth behind Tracy's death. Janis has other thoughts about her career. Nov 12, 2009 Apr 8, 2010
(SF two)
9 Keiko Believe Bryce begins a search for the woman he saw on his Flashforward while Aaron worries about Tracy's behavior. Mark tries to track down the person who sent Olivia the message about his drinking problem. Demetris colleagues try to find out more information about the mysterious caller who predicts Demetris' unfortunate fate. Nov 19, 2009 Apr. 15, 2010
(SF two)
10 A 561 984 A561984 While Mark and Demetri travel to Hong Kong to find Demetris' mysterious prophet, Zoey realizes what her vision really means. Lloyd's organization announces its involvement in the blackout to the public. Dec 3, 2009 Apr 22, 2010
(SF two)
11 Revelation (1) Revelation Zero (Part 1) Demetri and CIA agent Vogel try to track down Lloyd. Mark has to meet with a therapist to undo his suspension from duty. 18 Mar 2010 May 6, 2010
(SF two)
12 Revelation (2) Revelation Zero (Part 2) Janis goes to Toronto with Simon and finds out some family secrets. The identity of Suspect Zero is clarified. 18 Mar 2010 May 13, 2010
(SF two)
13 Duel of fathers Blowback Mark asks Lloyd questions about a phone call from her Flashforwards . Aaron searches Jericho unit for his daughter. Zoey tries to prevent Demetris Flashforward . 25th Mar 2010 May 20, 2010
(SF two)
14th Better angels Better Angels In Somalia , Vogel and the others are investigating the remains of the tower for evidence of the blackout. Olivia tries to convince Charlie to tell her what she saw during her flash forward . Bryce informs Nicole that he has cancer . Apr 1, 2010 June 3, 2010
(SF two)
15th Queen sacrifice Queen Sacrifice While Mark and Vogel attempt to identify the mole in the FBI, Mark is forced to leave Charlie and Olivia alone to protect them. Keiko searches for Bryce, her Flashforward lover , in Los Angeles . Apr 8, 2010 June 10, 2010
(SF two)
16 The mysterious Mr. Frost Let No Man Put Asunder After the mole confirms Demitri's date, he plans to marry Zoey early. Also, with the help of Jericho, Aaron and Stan try to find Tracy. Lloyd and Olivia get closer. Apr 15, 2010 June 13, 2010
(ORF 1)
17th The garden of forked paths The Garden of Forking Paths While Mark and the other agents search for the missing Demetri, Zoey learns the price she has to pay to save him. Olivia also finds out who sent her the text message informing her about Mark's drinking problem. Apr 22, 2010 June 20, 2010
(ORF 1)
18th Janis Goodbye Yellow Brick Road Aaron begins his search for Tracy in Afghanistan. Olivia receives a call from Gabriel. Apr 29, 2010 June 20, 2010
(ORF 1)
19th Course correction Course Correction Simon turns to the reluctant Mark to help him find his missing sister Annabelle. Demetri and Agent Banks join the hunt for a murderer, but find that they cannot influence the fate of the Flashforward as easily as they thought. The FBI finds out who Suspect Zero is. May 6, 2010 June 27, 2010
(ORF 1)
20th The day before The negotiation On the eve of Flashforward Day, the world is waiting to see what will and will not come true of its visions. Meanwhile, Mark has to protect Gabriel, Aaron finds Tracy and tries to save her, and Simon meets the organization responsible for the blackout. May 13, 2010 June 27, 2010
(ORF 1)
21st countdown countdown Wedeck informs Mark and Vogel that Hellinger has not revealed anything after hours of questioning because he only wants to speak to Mark. Mark then asks him if he is responsible for the global blackout - Hellinger affirms ... Meanwhile Demetri has to decide if he wants to help Janis, and Lloyd is about to solve the equation he was working on in his Flashforward . May 20, 2010 July 4, 2010
(ORF 1)
22nd The future happens Future Shock It is April 29, 2010. Everyone is curious to see whether the visions of their Flashforwards will come true. Meanwhile, Mark finds out that the time of the next global blackout is a quarter of an hour after the flashforward time of the last blackout. Simon tries, with Demetris' help, to prevent exactly that by breaking into the main NLAP computer. However, it fails, the next blackout and a flash forward in 2015. Most of the flash forward have come true. May 27, 2010 July 4, 2010
(ORF 1)

DVD

The first season and thus the complete series was released on October 14, 2010 in Germany on DVD.

criticism

At the start of the series, the series received excellent reviews for the series idea as well as for the plot of the first episodes. But when the plot did not develop in the subsequent episodes, the reviews got increasingly worse.

"The favorite of the season turned into the biggest disappointment of the year."

- DWDL.de

Individual evidence

  1. a b serienjunkies.de - ABC ends the mystery series "FlashForward" after season one
  2. http://www.jointhemosaic.com/
  3. ^ IGN: Flash Forward
  4. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1441135/
  5. ABC: action
  6. a b German synchronous index: Series detailed view: FlashForward . In: synchronkartei.de . Retrieved March 8, 2010.
  7. The Hollywood Reporter : ABC picks up more 'FlashForward' ( Memento from May 14, 2009 in the Internet Archive )
  8. ABC: More «Brothers & Sisters» - less «Flash Forward»?
  9. a b DWDL.de - Goodbye: ABC aborts "Flash Forward" after season 1
  10. FlashForward: The TV series broadcast dates in the United States . tv.com. Retrieved March 29, 2010.
  11. DWDL.de - ProSieben follows up: Big series offensive in March
  12. a b c FlashForward: German-language broadcast dates for the TV series . wunschliste.de. Retrieved March 29, 2010.
  13. http://www.cinefacts.de/dvd/58974/flash-forward-season-1-dvd.html The complete series

Web links